Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was "
proud
" on Tuesday of the action of his soldiers in Ukraine, and promised to further strengthen his army.
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"
We are proud that during the special military operation our fighters acted with courage, professionalism, like real heroes
," he said, using the expression authorized by the authorities to describe the Russian offensive against Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin spoke in the Kremlin to young graduates of Russian military academies and the highest army officials.
Referring to the sanctions that hit Russia, he also judged "
that they will, for sure, be overcome
".
And "
in the face of new threats and risks, we will further develop and strengthen our armed forces
", he said, promising the commissioning this year of the latest intercontinental missile, the Sarmat.
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“
There is no doubt that we will be even stronger
,” hammered the Russian leader.
Russia claims to have launched its offensive in Ukraine on February 24 to prevent an alleged "
genocide
" of the Russian-speaking populations there.
The Russian justice consequently punishes with fines and prison sentences the remarks departing from this official line, prohibiting for example to call this conflict a war or to evoke crimes committed by the Russian soldiers.
